Ever have a power steering reservoir whistle and burp fluid?

304 Views 7 Replies 4 Participants Last post by RevKG, 13 d ago

R2-6.0

Discussion Starter · 19 d ago

Stupid question that searching on here hasn't helped me answer...any chance anyone ever had or has heard of a power steering reservoir whistle and burp fluid? I've got a 2004 F250, fresh head gaskets, new ARP headstuds and a mess of other things done 5 months ago. It's also running a tow tune from Innovative Diesel. After a series of traffic lights on a 4 lane road with a mile or so in-between lights (accelerating from 0-60 at a medium pace, not a heavy foot, no load, no trailer) I got to the 3rd traffic light and was sitting, stopped, for a few seconds...all of the sudden there was a weird whistle type noise that made me look around wondering what the heck was going on and I thought I saw a bit of grey smoke coming from the front drivers wheel well area (it's smokey here thanks to the fires in Canada so I may have been seeing things). The noise lasted a few seconds and that was it...haven't heard it prior to today nor have I heard it since this afternoon. As soon as I could pull over safely I popped the hood and the degas bottle cap was dry, no coolant leaked or sprayed anywhere, no residue or anything around the cap or on the bottle, and the coolant level was right where it always is supposed to be. What did stand out though was some fresh looking oil on top of the power steering reservoir. When I got home I checked the PS fluid and the fluid level seemed a little high but more than anything I noticed dirt and grit on the rubber o-ring on the cap seal, so I wiped it all up and put it back together.

My fear is head gaskets may be whooped for some silly reason...but I'm hoping that isn't the case, especially since the heads were pressure tested and machined before reinstall with new ARP headstuds. Anyone have any ideas or thoughts on what I heard or may have happened?

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HydroTek

· #2 · 19 d ago

A pressure gauge on the degas bottle may tell the story -- Actually a useful addition to monitor the head gaskets anyways, as a permanent solution
You can Tee into the vent line that comes from the EGR cooler to the degas bottle -- then add a pressure sensor and electric gauge, or a mechanical gauge and zip tie to your wiper arm .

Leaking head gaskets will show a sharp rise in pressure on acceleration (engine load) -- really bad gaskets will show as soon as the engine starts -- you can test by putting the tranny in 3rd and holding the brakes -- rev the engine some and watch the gauge , looking for that sharp rise in pressure

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bismic1

· #3 · 19 d ago

Sort of confused with the thread, but a head gasket leak isn't going to affect the power steering fluid reservoir level (burp OR whistle).

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R2-6.0

Discussion Starter · #4 · 19 d ago

HydroTek said:
A pressure gauge on the degas bottle may tell the story -- Actually a useful addition to monitor the head gaskets anyways, as a permanent solution
You can Tee into the vent line that comes from the EGR cooler to the degas bottle -- then add a pressure sensor and electric gauge, or a mechanical gauge and zip tie to your wiper arm .

Leaking head gaskets will show a sharp rise in pressure on acceleration (engine load) -- really bad gaskets will show as soon as the engine starts -- you can test by putting the tranny in 3rd and holding the brakes -- rev the engine some and watch the gauge , looking for that sharp rise in pressure

You're right, I should give that a shot...was hoping to avoid that again, but that's the best way to tell if it's the HG's again.

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R2-6.0

Discussion Starter · #5 · 19 d ago

bismic1 said:
Sort of confused with the thread, but a head gasket leak isn't going to affect the power steering fluid reservoir level.

I'm confused with it too...which is why I asked the stupid question (well that and I'm no expert on 6.0L, know enough to know they're finicky beasts). That weird whistle noise I heard has happened only that one time..didn't even happen before the HG's were redone in December. When I pulled over to look (fearing I'd see coolant puked everywhere) there was no coolant puke, nothing at all...degas bottle and area were dry as a bone...it was just a noticeable wet spot on top of the PS reservoir...which was for sure oil. Ever since having the HG's done I've been extra particular in checking coolant levels in the degas bottle frequently and haven't noticed any changes in level.

The only other thing I didn't post earlier is that it's unseasonably hot here for this time of year, upper 80's instead of upper 60's, so the AC was on too..and that's the first time this year it's been on. On a longer search on the interwebs last night was something that will have me checking for exhaust leaks since there were similar noises people reported and recorded from downpipe connections and y-pipe cracks. Long story, but both of those have been on an off the truck a few times in the last 2 years so it's possible a gasket or y-pipe isn't up to par.

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R2-6.0

Discussion Starter · #6 · 19 d ago

The question (or perhaps stupid question) about power steering was just because I've never heard of a power steering system letting off pressure like that before. ...was just wondering if someone else has seen or heard of it. It just seemed odd there would be oil on top of the PS reservoir all of the sudden, after a funky whistle.

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HydroTek

· #7 · 19 d ago

Several of these around the web, I also have one showing my '06

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RevKG

· #8 · 13 d ago

I had a good whistle that came and went a couple of times. Turned out mine was a crack in the air intake tube.
I also had a “sudden” power steering fluid leak. Right before the lower seal let go. Be careful on finding the right p/s pump. I had to go to 4 places to get one that matched. 06 6.0 ext cab dually 4x4.
god luck.

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